Dennis Bangham

Search for fruitbook9 on the net.  It is specific to the southeast.  Easy to grow fruit trees are what I did.
Some trees, like pawpaw do not like transplanting.  Get some good rootstock and learn how to graft.  Get scions of named varieties.

Dr. Redhawk,  Can this potting mix also be used in a sand bed covered with shade cloth and used to grow out cuttings?

Thank you.

One summer I lost a third of my Pawpaw seedlings by waiting too long to put under shade.  However, I live in the southeast and by June it gets very hot here and the long hot days will cause the leaves to scorch.  
I use 30% shade cloth positioned so it only shades from noon to dusk.
When transplanting make sure no to damage the very fine hair like roots.  They are critical for the trees survival.

Popcorn disease
When control is desired, a Bordeaux mixture (originated in France) of 4-4-50 is effective. For a small amount of mixture, the ingredients are: - 3 1/3 tablespoons of copper sulfate - 3 tablespoons of hydrated lime, mixed in one gallon of water.

Fruit drop is common on younger trees.  Can be caused from too young, not enough nutrients or water and I am sure there are other reasons.

I did this for several callery pears at the recommendation of a nurseryman that i bought the scions from.  This was last year and some are now waking up.  I have not dug down to see how much of the roots are growing.

Recommend Permatil (Expanded shale) and use it as a guard against Voles. I have no experience in gophers.  If you need a lot you can get bulk sacks at landscaping supplies.  Wood chips on the surface will turn that clay to soil over time.

Also double zip lock bags if you are storing them in the same crisper as fruits and vegetables.  

I would only do above ground drip irrigation only.  Once established trees do not need constant watering. Only during droughts and a large pile of wood chips helps there.

You can prune a standard fruit tree to a semi or even dwarf size.  Many call this backyard orchard culture.  On youtube watch the videos of skillcult or on Davewilson.com.